SIGHTINGS of a black panther-like creature have sparked fresh interest into the theory that big cats are roaming the Leicestershire countryside.

There were two sightings of big cats in the county recently, taking place in the space of 24 hours of each other.

Peter Mason, from Link Rise, Markfield, was going shopping with his wife Chris when they spotted a large black cat in Ratby Lane between Markfield and Ratby at 10.30am on Friday March 22.

Mr Mason said: “I was driving along Ratby Lane, close to Martinshaw Wood, when all of a sudden, out shoots this creature. It was about 25ft in front of me.

“The first thing I thought was, ‘what a fantastic tail it’s got’. It was a great long black tail, arched over like a big S.

“It was about the size of a labrador but it was very low to the ground. I slowed right down and it shot across to the hedge, where it hesitated and dipped down. I could see its back legs were quite powerful.

“I thought to myself, ‘my goodness, this has got to be a panther or something’. It shot straight through the hedge. I’ve never seen anything like it – what a privilege.

“It was absolutely phenomenal. To see something like this so close to home was something very special. It proves these creatures are out there.”

The other sighting took place in Wymondham, near Melton, on Thursday March 21, when a lorry driver spotted a large black cat in fields.

Nigel Spencer, from Leicestershire and Rutland Panther Watch, said: “Both reports said the animals had long, black tails and were about the size of a labrador, which means they were probably females.

“I don’t think the same animal could have got from Wymondham to Ratby. They would have to be out hunting.”

According to Panther Watch, sightings of big cats first occurred in the early 1990s in the East Midlands when two distinct large cats were reported - one a puma, with a light sandy brown coat, and the other a black panther.

There have been sightings of big cats for centuries and for many years it was quite common for rich people to keep big cats.

The Dangerous Wild Animals Act was introduced in 1976 and big cats were released into the wild. Some owners have come forward and admitted that they did release them.

There were fears last year that big cats were responsible for a deer kill after the head of a muntjac deer was found up a tree in Burbage Common. Big cats are notorious for stashing food up trees.

But the big cat theory was quashed when Paul Weddle, from Hinckley, owned up to putting the head up the tree.